Re: To Exchange or not to Exchange

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Being a TOP Poster...oh well. and I'm sure I'll get slammed for HTML posting too...won't be the first time
 
I've read every single posting in this "conversation" and just had to jump in.
 
You say you are currently using Trend Micro...
The Trend Micro Client/Server/Messaging Suite for SMB addresses most if not all of Leythos concerns he keeps pointing out...
 
"Client/Server/Messaging Suite for Small and Medium Business helps diligently protect desktops, servers, and email servers transparently, with minimal interference to system operations. Ideal for the elimination of viruses, Trojans, worms, and other malicious code threats that attack desktops and servers via email, Web downloads, and file sharing."
Once installed (and one of our MVPs has a doc on his site to walk you through this properly)  I haven't had to touch it at my client sites.
 
They use SBS native Backup...that saves a few hundred dollars.
 
From February of 2005 til May of 2005 I went to work for Microsoft Gold Partner whose prime focus was Enterprise level clients.  But the local Microsoft Office begged them to take on the Small Business Server campaign in this area.  And so they advertised for someone who knew SBS,  took me about 4 hours to get hired.  And in the 3 months I was there they could not come up with a single new client....because they did not understand SMALL BUSINESS.  They kept trying to use the same approach and support model as they did for their enterprise customers.   It obviously didn't work.
 
I contend that the consultants you're working with are in the same boat.  They don't understand small business.  As already suggested by some here already, failure to take advantage of the tight integration through use of the wizards will likely wind up in a crippled box if you ever do want to take advantage of the other features.
 
Every thing that Leythos pointed to as reasons for leaving mail on the ISP...exist with Exchange. "...so that they can use their web based email system anywhere.(I think this is called OWA) Since they don't have a fixed IP (don't have to with any one of the inexpensive dynamic DNS services out there), since they can't afford spam and smtp based virus filtering for the exchange store (retail 10 users for Trend C/S/M for SMB is $460, and you can usually get a much better deal from a reseller)"
 
I can't remember the last time I actually had to charge the client for Exchange Specific maintenance.   There are some rare cases where the store can corrupt, etc, but all in all Exchange just runs itself, as David already knows from SBS 2000. 
--
Cris Hanna [SBS-MVP]
-------------------------------------------------
Please do not email me directly for assistance.  Reply only in the Newsgroups for the benefit of everyone
Assuming we do install Exchange, how much time per month will be needed
to administer just the Exchange related issues?
10 user licenses, rarely more than 3 users on network.
Maybe 10-15 valid incoming non-spam emails per day. Most of these come
to me.
Backup:  SBS Backup, Veritas

Btw, Leythos makes some very good points in this post.
Thanks again.


"David F" <david@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ul$qvwNpFHA.616@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx...
> We've got a small network of 7 clients. Is it worth it to install
> Exchange? We do have a static IP address.
>
> We've finally hired consultants, after having done all installs since
> SBS 4.0 myself. They say don't bother, since the admin for Exchange is
> not worth it for such a small network. The main point is to keep
> things simple, which makes life easier and costs less in the long
> haul.
>
> Otoh, SBS setup puts Exchange up and running with minimal effort. I
> used it on SBS 2000 and had no problems until the raid controller
> began crashing the OS. Actually, I still used pop3 and only used
> Exchange for a data store.
>
> Thanks for your input. David
>

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